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> Instead of denying a basic human urge, we should stop criminalizing it. Properly support those that have developed a dependency and move away from the nanny

by cjslep 12y ago

> Instead of denying a basic human urge, we should stop criminalizing it. Properly support those that have developed a dependency and move away from the nanny state. Harm reduction should be the overarching aim. While I agree with decriminalization to a reasonable extent, I think you are severely underestimating the crippling effect being dependent on a foreign substance can be on relationships, society, and the individual. Simply changing the legislation is part of a broader comprehensive solution. A cultural change needs to be part of any comprehensive solution to substance use and abuse. A cultural change is also needed so members of society can enjoy moderate use, without leading to abuse, of substances. Or so they are encouraged to enjoy other parts of life besides substances, if they so choose.

ux-app 12y ago
> I think you are severely underestimating the crippling effect being dependent on a foreign substance can be on relationships, society, and the individual. Simply changing the legislation is part of a broader comprehensive solution. I'm not sure how you got the impression that I am underestimating or minimizing the potential downsides of substance abuse. I'm advocating for decriminalization and harm reduction. This means a move away from the nanny state and toward a society that deals with substance (ab)use as a normal part of the human condition. Not something that can be wished away!
- rosser 12y ago
  This means a move away from the nanny state and toward a society that deals with substance (ab)use as a normal part of the human condition. If we can't go that far, let's at least start dealing with it as a medical issue — which it is — instead of as a criminal one. Yes, there's crime around drug use/abuse (leaving aside the use itself being criminal where it's illegal and criminalized). In many if not most cases, however, that crime would be mitigated, or even eliminated, if the use, itself, weren't criminal.
- cjslep 12y ago
  > I'm not sure how you got the impression that I am underestimating or minimizing the potential downsides of substance abuse. That's entirely a misunderstanding on my end. Thanks for clarifying for me!
rosser 12y ago
When Portugal decriminalized all drugs of abuse, they saw an initial spike in usage rates for most of them, and then a significant reduction in usage — to well below the original, criminalization-era rates — across the board. That is to say, a significant part of the cultural shift that's needed appears to be taking away the "Oooh, I'm being so bad!" stigma that criminalization incurs.

by cjslep 12y ago

ux-app 12y ago

> I think you are severely underestimating the crippling effect being dependent on a foreign substance can be on relationships, society, and the individual. Simply changing the legislation is part of a broader comprehensive solution. I'm not sure how you got the impression that I am underestimating or minimizing the potential downsides of substance abuse. I'm advocating for decriminalization and harm reduction. This means a move away from the nanny state and toward a society that deals with substance (ab)use as a normal part of the human condition. Not something that can be wished away!

rosser 12y ago
This means a move away from the nanny state and toward a society that deals with substance (ab)use as a normal part of the human condition. If we can't go that far, let's at least start dealing with it as a medical issue — which it is — instead of as a criminal one. Yes, there's crime around drug use/abuse (leaving aside the use itself being criminal where it's illegal and criminalized). In many if not most cases, however, that crime would be mitigated, or even eliminated, if the use, itself, weren't criminal.
cjslep 12y ago
> I'm not sure how you got the impression that I am underestimating or minimizing the potential downsides of substance abuse. That's entirely a misunderstanding on my end. Thanks for clarifying for me!

rosser 12y ago

When Portugal decriminalized all drugs of abuse, they saw an initial spike in usage rates for most of them, and then a significant reduction in usage — to well below the original, criminalization-era rates — across the board. That is to say, a significant part of the cultural shift that's needed appears to be taking away the "Oooh, I'm being so bad!" stigma that criminalization incurs.